18 Questions
HR professionals must understand the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive ______ information.
employee
Businesses can take both ______ and non-legal actions to ensure workplace confidentiality.
legal
Legal obligations, such as data-breach notification requirements and ______ laws, require employers to establish processes and procedures to secure and safeguard sensitive employee data.
privacy
In addition to protecting sensitive employee information, HR must maintain confidentiality about ______ or business information that is not available to nonmanagement employees or outsiders.
management
HR gathers information on job candidates through ______ forms and in interviews.
application
Confidentiality is a must when it comes to ______ information, workplace injury reports, background checks, health-related information, and pay levels.
employee
Theft of intellectual property or using confidential information for financial gain could warrant ______ punishment.
criminal
In the event of criminal violations, state or federal government officials prosecute the individual responsible for the ______.
breach
When recruiting new employees, make sure that there is a confidentiality clause in the employment ______.
contract
Confidentiality Agreements / Non-Disclosure Agreements are binding documents used to restrict a person from using or disclosing information shared with them in discussions outside of the ______.
workplace
A business can also implement a workplace policy that covers ______.
confidentiality
To protect information from being shared, an employee can request that the stakeholder sign a confidentiality or nondisclosure ______.
agreement
HR must develop procedures to ______ employees' health and medical data.
safeguard
Medical and benefit records should be kept separate from ______ files.
personnel
Medical and benefit records may be revealed with employees' written ______ only.
permission
HR departments are often tasked with ______ of certain workplace issues.
investigations
HR needs to maintain ______ of records pertaining to workplace investigations.
confidentiality
Laws impose strict rules for handling ______ information obtained through medical examinations.
health-related
Study Notes
Confidentiality in HR
- HR departments require employees to complete enrollment forms for benefits, such as healthcare coverage and retirement plans, and protect this information.
- Laws impose strict rules for handling health-related information obtained through medical examinations and inquiries.
Health and Medical Information
- Medical and benefit records should be kept separate from personnel files and may be revealed with employees' written permission only.
- Certain individuals on a legitimate "need-to-know" basis, as defined by specific statutes, may access health and medical data.
- Confidential health and medical information includes:
- Insurance and benefit enrollment forms and claims information
- Medical exam information
- Sick leave certifications and medical documentation
- Doctor's notes
- Drug test results/physical results
Workplace Investigations
- HR departments often investigate workplace issues and must maintain confidentiality of records pertaining to these investigations.
Importance of Confidentiality
- Workplace confidentiality should be treated as a high priority for businesses to prevent misuse of information that could damage the business.
- Both legal and non-legal actions can be taken to ensure workplace confidentiality.
Confidentiality in HR Processes
- Human resource professionals are held to high standards of confidentiality.
- Confidential employee information includes:
- Performance reviews
- Workplace injury reports
- Background checks
- Health-related information
- Pay levels
- Legal obligations require employers to establish processes and procedures to secure and safeguard sensitive employee data and notify employees of any breach of confidential information.
Maintaining Confidentiality
- HR must maintain confidentiality about management or business information not available to non-management employees or outsiders.
- Confidential business information includes:
- Changing business strategies and processes
- Layoffs or plant closings
- Proprietary data
Legal Steps to Ensure Confidentiality
- Confidentiality clauses can be included in employment contracts to set expectations for confidentiality.
- Confidentiality agreements or non-disclosure agreements can be used to restrict the use or disclosure of confidential information.
- Implementing a workplace policy that covers confidentiality can also help maintain confidentiality.
Learn about the importance of workplace confidentiality in Human Resource Management (HRM) and the legal and non-legal actions businesses can take to ensure it. Explore the high standards of confidentiality expected from HR professionals in handling sensitive information.
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